Match-testing apparatus.



W. A. FAIRBURN. MATCH TESTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1913,

1,12%418. Patented Feb.9, 1915.

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NETE@ @TATE PATENT FEQE.

WILLIAM A, FAIR-BURN, OF SHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MATCH-TESTINGAPPARATUS.

Application filed July 22, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, l.WILLIAM A. FainnUnN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Short Hills, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in hlatch-Testing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of simple and efficient construction and operation for testing matches as to their iiaming and non-glowing qualities; and to this end the invention, as generally stated, comprehends a structure whereby a match, or series of matches, can be readily supported in any predetermined angular position with the splint, or splints, thereof exposed a sufiicient extent for ignition and burning.

The invention also comprises various novel features of construction and combinations of parts whereby advantages are secured, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying my invention, a row of specimen matches being illustrated as supported therein. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one end of the structure showing the stud and catch devices for lock ing the holder barsfor the matches. Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section as on the line 4 4: of Fig. 2, showing a holder-bar as opened to facilitate the removal of the butts of the burned matches.

10 designates a' rotary match holder mounted in and between standards 11 on an appropriate base 12. This holder, in the form illustrated, includes a series of radial members having an axial shaft 13 which is journaled in bearings in the standards; one end of the shaft being extended beyond the adjacent standard and provided with a suitable knob or head 14 to facilitate the manual turning of the holder. In the present instance there are four equally-spaced members, each of which comprises fixed and movable bars, 15, 16, respectively, having their opposing faces correspondingly bored at intervals to provide radial sockets 17 for the reception and retention of the ends of match splints. The fixed bars are preferably cast as an integral structure through which the shaft 13 extends, and the movable Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, i915.

Serial No. 780,426.

bars are pivoted at their ends (as at to disks 18, 19 fast on the respective ends of said structure. The disk 18 has secured thereto radially extending spring catches 2() which co-act with end-projecting studs 21 on the respective movable bars to lock the latter in closed or clamping position. Each of the movable bars is preferably provided with a laterally extending pin 22 which affords a thumb-piece to facilitate the opening of the bar against the action of the spring catch. The disk 19 is provided near its periphery with a circular series of transverse perforations 23 into any of which may be inserted a stoppin 24C which is adapted to abut against the opposing standard and thereby determine the angularity of any socketed member and the matches held thereby. The periphery of the disk 19 is appropriately graduated or numbered ad] acent the respective perforations so that the degree of angularity of the holder members,

as defined by the location of the stop pin,

can be readily determined.

The sockets of the successive holding members are of different depths substantially corresponding with the unimpregnated portions of various sizes and lengths of matches. The depths of the sockets of the respective members may be 3;, 12:, and of an inch respectively, the same being sufficient to meet all usual requirements. If desired the successive rows of sockets may be of various diameters to accommodate matches of different thicknesses.

The operation is briefly as follows: Speci` nien matches to be tested are inserted in a predetermined row of sockets; the stop-pin 2l is inserted in a selected perforation of the disk 19, and the knob 14 is then turned until the pin abuts against the opposing standard. Thus the holder is bodily turned and the row of sockets with the contained matches is set to the angle indicated on the periphery of the disk adjacent such perforation. yIhe match heads are then ignited, and as the splints burn, or fail to burn, their flaming quality can `be observed and compared, and when the iiames are extinguished the efficiency and extent of the impregnation toprevent the after-glow of the splints can be determined, and the rigidity of the carbonized material can be noted.

When the matches have been tested the butts remaining in the sockets can be readily removed from the holder member by opening the movable bar of the latter against the action of the spring catch as above mentioncd.

1t is to beV understood that my invention is not limited to the exact details of construction herein shown and described.

1 claim as my invention- 1. A match testing machine comprising a supporting element and a carrier mounted thereon to turn about a horizontal axis, said carrier having means to hold matches at their untipped splint ends in spaced parallel relation to each other in a row extending longitudinally of the axis of the carrier, whereby the inclination of such row of matches relatively to the horizontal may be varied by movement of the carrier on its axis, and whereby the row may be supported in any predetermined angular position with the splints thereof separated from each other, projecting outwardly, and exposed a sufficient extent for ignition and burning.

2. A match testing machine comprising a supporting element, a carrier mounted thereon to turn about a horizontal axis, said carrier having means to hold matches at their untipped splint ends in spaced parallel relation to each other in a row extending longitudinally of the axis of the carrier, and means, including a relatively adjustable member and stop, for determining the limit of rotation of the carrier and the inclination of the row of matches therein relatively to the horizontal, whereby the row may be supported in any predetermined angular position with the splints thereof separated from each other, projecting outwardly, and exposed a suiiicient extent for ignition and burning.

A match testing machine comprising a supporting element, a carrier mounted thereon to turn about a horizontal axis, said carrier having sockets therein ina row parallel to the axis of rotation of the carrier, said sockets being adapted to receive and temporarily hold the untipped splint ends of a row of outwardly projecting matches in spaced parallel relation to each other, whereby the inclination of such row of matches relatively to the horizontal may be varied by movement of the carrier on its axis, and whereby the row may be supported in any predetermined angular position with the splints thereof separated from each other, projecting outwardly, and exposed a sufficient extent for ignition and burning. v

4.-. A match testing machine comprising a supporting element, a carrier mounted thereon to turn about a horizontal axis, said carrier including a two-part clamp extending longitudinally thereof and having means to receive and hold matches by their untipped splint ends to project outwardly from the carrier in spaced relation to each other and in a row extending longitudinally of theaxis carrier, whereby the inclination of such row of matches relatively to the horizontal may be varied by movement of the carrier on its axis, and whereby the row may be supported in any predetermined angular position with the splints thereof separated from each other, projecting outwardly, and

exposed a suicient extent for ignition and burning.

Signed at New York in the county and State of New York this 19th day of July A. D. 1913.

WILLIAM A. FAIRBURN.

Witnesses:

B. CHANDLER SNEAD, FRANCES K. GRIFFIN.

'Copies of this patent may 'be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C. 

